Sedalia Police Chief Woolery Recognized for 30 Years of Service

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Sedalia Police Chief David Woolery was recognized for 30 years of service with the Sedalia Police Department.

Interim City Administrator Matt Wirt praised Woolery’s steady leadership and unshakable character.

“Over the past three decades, Chief Woolery has exemplified what it means to serve with integrity, compassion and unwavering commitment. From his early day days as a young officer to his respected role as chief of police, he led by example, with calm resolve, strong values and a deep love for this community. Tonight, we pause to say thank you. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and thank you for 30 remarkable years to the City of Sedalia,” said Wirt, who was the Chief of Police prior to Woolery assuming the position.

Under Public Works, Council approved the purchase of a new Volvo L7OH2 wheel loader for the City’s Water Pollution Control Department at  a cost of $204,345.

The wheel loader will be used at the City’s compost site, replacing the old one that has over 17,000 hours of usage on it.

The old one was used a trade-in, resulting in a $32,000 credit towards the new one.

Through a Sourcewell cooperative contract, the City received a 43.6 percent discount on the purchase.

The new one will have a five-year, 6,000-mile warranty.

The Council then approved the purchase of a Caterpillar 926M wheel loader, which has already been in use for five years by the Water Pollution Control Division of the Utilities Department as a lease agreement.

The City now has the option to buy the wheel loader for $72,975. Staff noted that the wheel loader is in excellent condition.

It is estimated by staff that the purchase will save the City $27,000 annually for the remainder of the life of the wheel loader.

Water Pollution Control also requested the purchase of a 2025 Chevy 3500 4x4 service truck to replace a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 that has reached the end of its service life.

W-K Chevrolet was the lowest and best bidder at $67,521, it was noted.

Council approved change order request from Public Works Small Sanitary Sewer Project A, which is located between the Central Lift Station and WireCo.

The change order is a rare decrease of $103,795, reducing the overall cost of the project from $411,664 to $307,869. The vendor is Do-Rite Construction and Excavating, LLC.

Between Public Works Operations and Utilities division, a total of five vehicles have been requested to purchase.

A rundown of the want list shows that Operations is requesting:

*Two single-axle plow trucks for a combined cost of $528,338.89.

*Two multi-function tandem trucks with hook-lift systems for a combined cost of $1,135,558.90.

(It was noted that this is a lower number of trucks requested, due to the much higher cost of the macro paver, already approved for purchase).

Utilities is requesting:

*A tandem axle dump truck. Cost is $214,139 ($160414 for the chassis and $53,725 for the bed).

All five vehicles will be purchased through cooperative contracts from MoDOT and “Missouri Buys” and all of the purchases are within their respective FY26 budget allocations.

The City is buying the trucks from Premier Truck Group and Henderson products, Inc.

Under Community Development, Vice Chair Lucas Richardson presented an annual report from the Central Business and Cultural District.

Total expenditures anticipated for FY2026 are $158,102, Richardson said. “Our tax revenue for 2025 was $42,170.”

Current balance for the CBCD is $195,903.

Council approved renewing the City’s annual agreement with Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc., for 2025.

Council approved extending the business hours of the two marijuana dispensaries in Sedalia. Instead of closing at 8 p.m., they are now allowed to remain open for business until 10 p.m.

The vote was five yes, one absent (Scribner) and one abstained (Hiller).

One new liquor license was approved:

*Liping Chen dba  Joy Hibachi, 1975 West Broadway, for liquor by the drink and Sunday Sales, $750

One liquor license was renewed:

*Jenna Gier dba State Fair Eagle Stop, 1515 Thompson Blvd., for packaged liquor and Sunday Sales, $450

Under Miscellaneous, Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess noted that a special ceremony will be held during Juneteenth at Hubbard Park at noon, in partnership with the NAACP.

“During that celebration of Juneteenth, we will have a grand-breaking ceremony that will begin the North Central Neighborhood Sidewalk Revitalization Project,” Boggess told KSIS after the meeting.

The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

The work consists of the installation of 127 linear feet of curb and gutter, 6,905 square feet of commercial concrete driveway, 24,467 square feet of residential concrete driveway, 143 ADA sidewalk ramps, 114,711 square feet of concrete sidewalk, 493 linear feet of storm sewer, traffic control, erosion control, and all incidental and/or related work as necessary to provide a complete project.

The project involves Henry, Johnson, Morgan, Cooper, Pettis, Park and Grand streets.

This project will also launch the City of Sedalia’s first-ever interactive project map, a digital tool designed to keep residents informed in real time.

“The map will show which streets are under construction, when improvements are planned, and how the project is progressing. This tool puts transparency into action,” said GIS Coordinator Madisyn Bridges.

Get our free mobile app

Under Good & Welfare, Jason Unwin, who lives in Cole Camp, opposed the extension of the business hours for marijuana dispensaries in Sedalia.

“Let’s try to limit the number of drugs, legal and illegal. Just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right,” he told the Council.

Debbie Covington, 2601 E. 12th, complained about the Council’s Community Development Committee not meeting since Oct, 21, 2024. Same with the Public Works Committee. Last met Dec. 12, 2024.

“So to make these purchases that are on the agenda tonight, and with no dialogue here at the Council, between each other, or when are you all meeting to discuss this? And with all the Council people here, um, present for the, um, bills that you all are pushing through to discuss it, and why is the public, I’ve asked this before, but why is the public not a part of this? … why are we not invited, why isn’t it live-streamed? Is this coming straight from the, the budget session? Are you all meeting for these Council committee meetings? If not, what’s the point of the Council committee? And if you are, why aren’t we able to see how you all come to the decisions to pass these bills so, um, easily during the Council meeting? So I just wanted it on record, that, according to the Clerk’s Office, um, uh, you all, it’s the same with Finance and Admin with the anti-First Amendment ordinance bill passed, you all with Finance and Admin haven’t met since last year, either, so when are you all meeting? Thank you,” she concluded.

Rene Vance, 19813 Tanglenook, reminded Council of the Sedalia Senior Center’s gala scheduled for June 26. Cost is $50 each and there will be a 50s “sock hop” theme at the event.

In addition, she said the SSC needs two volunteer drivers on Wednesdays and Fridays for 90 minutes each day.

Council then adjourned for closed-door session after the 35-minute public meeting.

Council meets again June 16. The public is invited to attend.